I'd like to share my atheism story. I'll begin by telling you a little about myself. I'm 22 years old. Male, and a United States Marine. I'm originally from Georgia, but I've lived and been all over the United States and even some parts of the world. I'm currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

Atheism is fairly new to me. I haven't always been atheist. In fact, I was brought up Baptist Christian. I always had questions, as I'm sure most of you have had. I struggled to find God all throughout my life. Growing up I had a little secret. I discovered this secret while I was in middle school (junior high). I was devastated to discover that I was gay. I was closeted for quite some time. I came out at the age of 17. It was the best thing I ever did. I didn't have any help from anyone, I did it all on my own. I suppose that having dealt with religious oppression in regards to my sexuality opened my mind to the fact that "God" was "fucked up".

This experience helped me in "finding the Truth." For years however, I entertained the idea that "God didn't really hate me like they said", I still wanted to be a good little Christian, only I was open and out, and didn't feel bad to be gay. All that changed a few months ago, when I was exploring the Internet on a Saturday afternoon. I decided to type in "atheism" to see what it brought up -- and that's when my life changed. I decided to read as much as I could. That same day, I went to the bookstore and bought a copy of Bertrand Russell's "Why I am Not a Christian," which opened my eyes to lots more. In recent months, I've devoted a great deal of my personal time in my research and studies of atheism and religion. I feel more "free" than ever before, and I am very firm in my decision. I couldn't ask for anything more. More importantly, I did this on my own. I sought the information that I need to fill the "void" that was in my life. I am a happy, Gay, Marine!